In the San Juan Islands, the Orcas Island’s boutique hotel, Outlook Inn, is transforming itself on Saturday, March 10th into “Outlook U,” offering wine education with tastings, seminars and some of Oregon’s finest.

Willamette Valley Pinot Camp kicks off with a 1:00pm wine tasting class featuring 12 Willamette Valley wines and an exclusive opportunity to learn about the winemaking and land that have made Willamette Valley wines so well respected. Presenters include Unique’s very own Raptor Ridge, with owners and winemakers Annie and Scott Schull, and  Coeur de Terre Vineyard owners and winemakers Scott and Lisa Neal. Adelsheim winery will also be presenting. The tasting is $30 plus tax.

The evening brings in a wine pairing dinner at 6:30 pm, for only $120 per person. The sumptuous five course wine pairing dinner includes all three wineries and the culinary talent of New Leaf Executive Chef Steve Debaste and Special Event Chef Madden Surbaugh.

Retail sales of the wine are available all weekend with exclusive pricing and room are available at special pricing:

Be there for the largest Greek wine road show, with more Greek winemakers in Seattle than ever before to taste with you! RSVP with your rep today to attend the Athenee Importers Road Show!

For more information, visit the Athenee blog or follow them on Twitter!

BRAND NEW!

Introducing our latest Chilean import - Viña Ventisquero! The winery is “Certified Sustainable” by Wines of Chile and is the first and ONLY winery in Chile to have all of its vineyards approved.  As the largest winery in Chile that is 100% Estate Grown, it is the only all estate-grown winery in Chile to take the environment so seriously and have the credentials to prove it.

Ringing clear here in the Northwest, a region that prides itself in ecofriendly practices both in production and at home, Viña Ventisquero wines are a true gem and value for Unique to bring on.

Under the guidance of  head winemaker Felipe Tosso, the winery was built in the Coastal Maipo Valley, where grapes for their first wines were produced. Three years later, they ventured into the Casablanca Valley and Apalta Valley, the source today for Viña Ventisquero’s premium wines.

Ventisquero is so well respected for its quality and sustainability that the “GREY” Carmenere will be flying high on LAN, South America’s key airline, as the first class glass pour this spring.

The new concept behind Viña Ventisquero’s premium line highlights the origins of GREY, inviting drinkers to return to the vineyard, where the wine is born and develops, paying tribute to its origin.

GREY exemplifies the concept of terroir. Climate, soil & grape variety combine perfectly to give life to elegant, balanced wines. Each one’s identity is defined by a single block of the vineyard.

The GREY Carmenere, intense in its deep purple color, has an interesting mix of tobacco, black cherries, blueberry and coffee on the nose with a palate of red fruit, ripe plums, cedar and spice along with bits of pepper and eucalyptus with mint. 

Giovanella Fugazza was planning on practicing law in Milan when her father passed away in 1980. She and her sister, Maria Julia, were called back to the farm they grew up on to carry out the lay of the land and reinvent the property their father loved so dearly. The sisters launched their “adventure of bottling wine” with Castello di Luzzano, the Castle of Luzzano which rests on the border of Lombardia and Emilia Romagna in northern Italy where Giovanella still lives today.

After attending the nearby University of Agriculture at Piacenza, Giovanella took charge of the cellar while her sister tackled the farm itself and both managed the overall business. Giovanella welcomed in an enologist to assist in the winemaking production.

The sister’s first bottling turned 30 in 2010. Their wines have been enjoyed and admired by not only masters and lovers of wine but by other artists like Frank Sinatra.

Castello di Luzzano estate has always been one of the leading producers of Malvasia in the Colli Piacentini area and therefore its decision in 2004 to produce this still Malvasia, one of great finesse and elegance, came naturally. The luscious white wine is labeled with a proper name – Tasto di Seta Malvasia di Candia, meaning the “touch of silk.” Its refinement and softness, which indeed give the sensation of silk, derive from the particular type of soils where the grapes grow and the notable care taken in both vineyard and cellar.

The grapes are hand-picked and immediately gently pressed which 50% is separated, lightly clarified and left to ferment at a low controlled temperature until complete dryness. The wine is next racked and matures gently on its lees in stainless steel throughout the winter before being bottles in the spring.

A very intense, aromatic, floral nose of acacia, cypress and mint. Balanced and soft on the characteristically fragrant palate, with excellent length. Excellent as an aperitif; well suited for risottos, dishes made with fresh pasta, egg and vegetable dishes, salami and white meats. Exceptional with fat-fleshed fish and seafood, such as crab and lobster.

Sparky Marquis on the vineyards.

The 2010 reviews for Mollydooker are rolling in and with fervor!

In the latest Wine Advocate just released, Jay Miller proclaims Australia to be back on its game in his article, “Australia’s Wine Values of 2011: Better than Ever.”

The new 2010 Mollydookers scored some of the highest in this $25 or less retail value article, including the new 2011 Violinist that just came into our warehouse.

2010 Scooter Merlot – 90 POINTS!
“Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 The Scooter Merlot gives pronounced notes of warm plums, blackberry preserves, coconut and baking spices plus a whiff of toasty cedar. Ripe, concentrated and voluptuous in the mouth, it offers tons of vanilla and spice flavors, a medium level of velvety tannins, medium-high acid and a long finish. Drinking beautifully now, it should cellar to 2016+.”

2010 The Boxer Shiraz – 91 POINTS!
“Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 The Boxer Shiraz has notes of warm blackberries and blueberries with nuances of menthol, some spice cake, anise and bacon fat. Concentrated, big, rich and ripe, it offers a very spicy palate with some licorice and cumin seed coming through, supported by a medium level of velvety tannins, lively acidity and finishing very long. Drink it now to 2017+.”

2010 Maitre’d Cabernet Sauvignon – 90 POINTS!
“Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 The Maitre d’ Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of creme de cassis and black cherry preserves with a hint of mocha and a touch of hung meat. Full-bodied, the palate fills the mouth with warm berry and savory flavors supported by crisp acid and a medium level of fine grained tannins, finishing long. Drink it now 2017.”

The Boxer and The Maitre'd

2010 Two Left Feet Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot – 90 POINTS!
“A blend of 72% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, the 2010 Two Left Feet has a deep garnet-purple color and a slightly closed nose of black currant cordial, mulberries, espresso and tree bark with a whiff of bacon. Full-bodied, ripe, rich and spicy in the mouth, it has a good foundation of crisp acid and a medium level of silky tannins, finishing long. Drinking nicely now, it should keep to 2017+.”

2011 Violinist Verdelho – 89 POINTS!
“The 2011 The Violinist Verdelho presents a moderate intensity of pear and warm apple fruit aromas with hints of white pepper and fresh hay. Dry, rich, full-bodied, creamy textured and with good flavor concentration in the mouth, it has a long finish. Drink it now through 2013.”

Congrats to Sparky and Sarah Marquis!

We knew they’d come… Check out the Spectator reviews and scores for Mollydooker!

Shiraz-Cabernet McLaren Vale Enchanted Path 2010

93 points | $90 | 1,396 cases imported | Red

A rich mouthful of compelling blackberry, black coffee, black cherry and black pepper flavors (see a trend here?) balances on a supple, velvety background and persists into a long and expres­sive finish. Just delish. Drink now through 2018.—H.S

Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia Gigglepot 2010

91 points | $49 | 887 cases imported | Red

Ripe, rich and spicy, an effusive mouthful of black cherry, plum, coffee and smoke flavors, melding together smoothly on the fin­ish. Tannins need time to soften. Best from 2013 through 2018.—H.S.

Shiraz South Australia Blue Eyed Boy 2010

91 points | $49 | 8,718 cases imported | Red

Smooth and velvety, with depth and a distinctive range of flavors, offering a minty edge to the black cherry, plum and spice, com­ing together smoothly on the polished finish. Drink now through 2016.—H.S.

Shiraz McLaren Vale Carnival of Love 2010

94 points | $90 | 4,359 cases imported | Red

Dense, rich and distinctive, this is superplush and complex, yet also approachable, wrapping its black cherry, cassis, licorice and roasted meat flavors on a supple, velvety frame. Finishes long and creamy in texture. Drink now through 2020. From Australia.—H.S.

Shiraz McLaren Vale Velvet Glove 2010

96 points | $185 | 650 cases imported | Red

Broad, ripe and generous, singing with red berry, cherry and spice flavors that join in a lusty chorus as the finish sails on and on. Has depth and power. The structure just melts into the whole package seamlessly, and the flavors seem to scale higher and higher with each sip. Drink now through 2020. From Australia.—H.S.

TOP 100 WINES OF 2011

Unique is proud to represent NINE wines in the Top 100 from Spectator. Although many of the below listed vintages have sold out, we have new vintages for some, large formats for others and full availability on a handful! Contact your rep today for questions!

#1 – 95 pts Kosta Browne Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2009 (SOLD OUT)

#4 – 96 pts Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino 2006 (SOLD OUT)

#6 – 95 pts Baer Ursa Columbia Valley 2008 (SOLD OUT)

#13 – 95 pts Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 2008

#46 – 92pts Argiano Toscana Non Confunditur 2009

#69 – 91 pts Rocca di Frassinello Maremma Toscana Le Sughere di Frassinello 2009

#87 – 90 pts Terredora di Paolo Greco di Tufo Loggia della Serra 2009

#91 – 90 pts Bodegas Beronia Rioja Gran Reserva 2001 (SOLD OUT)

#100 – 96 pts Bodega Noemía de Patagonia Río Negro Valley 2009

In other words, Dievole has been producing wine for a long, long time.

Dievole vineyards offer a balance between the tradition artistic craft and scientific innovation of winemaking. Viticulture in Dievole is heavily focused on the vineyards’ potential through its natural capability and offerings as well as careful passion and affection toward the vine itself.

For the new 2008 Chianti, Dievole harvested grapes from a vineyard in their southeast of their property where the soil is part clay (offering great acidity) and part calcareous (limestone and minerality) with stones, creating a savory balance in the wine.

The grapes are fermented in stainless steel then moved to steel containers and placed in casks for malolactic fermentation for five to six months.

The wine itself has beautiful upfront fruit notes of cherry and plum, typical of Sangiovese, with scorched earth and a hint of spice. The palate is fresh and dry, classic Chianti, with good acidity and persistence and with good tannic structure. Extremely drinkable and the ultimate pizza wine.

Order a pie and grab a bottle for an ideal rainy Seattle night in! Salute!

Naming their winery after those birds of prey that reside on the 27-acre estate, winemaker Scott Shull and his wife Annie founded Raptor Ridge in 1995. Their estate vineyard is named “Tuscowallame” which is the indigenous word for “place where the owls dwell.”

Tuscowallame Vineyard is nestled along a foggy ridge on the northeast side of the Chehalem Mountains, 10 miles north of Newberg, Oregon. There are 18 acres of property under vine, including blocks dedicated to specific Pinot Noir clones. A small amount of Gruner Veltliner and Pinot Gris are also planted on the site.

Drinking incredible these days, thanks to the ripe and ready 2009 vintage, is the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from 2009.

Comprised of fruit sourced from seven different vineyards, a high number of growing degree days in 2009 allowed the Shulls to harvest each vineyard at optimal ripeness. The accommodating weather of the vintage also allowed for the one fourth picking bins of hand-harvested grapes to arrive at the winery in a constant steady stream over an extended three week period, at no rush.

A few days post fermentation maceration followed before each lot was pressed, settled and racked into French oak barrels. The oak influence in the final blend comes from 30% one-year-old barrels, 30% two-year-old barrels and 40% neutral barrels.

At the table, the wine is a rich yet brilliant garnet color with a lively display of Bing cherries, Damson plums, sage and crushed leaves on the nose. A lush palate with focused acidity offers soft and supple tannins combined with hints of vanilla, cured meat, cassis and red licorice.

Self-serving as a cocktail yet appealing to pair with any fowl, lamb or whatever might be on your Thanksgiving table in two weeks.

 A warmer-than-average August and September have helped. Any rain in Eastern Washington has drifted mostly to Walla Walla Valley, where there are few white grapes and the red varieties are relatively impervious to the small volume of rain that has been received.

Cadaretta harvested the first Merlot out of the estate Southwind vineyard on October 10th. The berries were small, flavors were good and the wine shows promise. More Merlot is fueling in this week from Red Mountain, almost a month behind a “normal” year. In general harvest speak, Cadaretta, amongst 90% of Washington winery’s, is 2-3 weeks behind last year, a late year itself.

It’s anyone’s guess at this point when we’ll pick Cabernet. All together, we probably have a full 20 days left in the vintage to get the remaining tonnage into the winery and winemaker Brian Rudin is as hopeful as ever.

Unique went out to the winery and vineyards to check it out two weeks ago. Our photos should tell the story of success that is to come!

Hang time - Cabernet grapes at Cayuse Vineyards.

Cayuse Vineyards.

View from the top of Cadaretta's estate vineyard, Southwind.

"The Glass House" at the top of the estate vineyard.

5 year old vines at Southwind Vineyard.

Brian showing the multiple types of soils in the estate vineyard.

Winery dogs

Fermenting grapes.

Still fermenting...

Hand sorting grapes.